Is the world falling apart? Prague film festival offers answers, finds hope

At an annual human rights film festival in Prague, filmmakers and activists gather under the shadow of a world in crisis.

Kicking off next Wednesday and running from March 11-19, the English-friendly One World Human Rights Film Festival (Festival Jeden svět) comes at a time of extreme turmoil, uncertainty, and – let’s be honest – global angst.

A renowned staple of Prague’s film scene now in its 28th year, the popular event offers a much-needed space to unpack what seems to be a world unravelling at record speed, while offering hope in the voice and vision of brave filmmakers, activists and ordinary people from around the world.

“In a time of growing tension, we want to create a place where people can speak openly and freely,” said festival director Ondřej Kamenický.

The grand opening will honor Belarusian pro-democracy activist and politician Mikalaj Statkevič, currently imprisoned at an unknown location, followed by the world premiere of Meant To Be, a gripping account of contemporary Hungary told through the fate of local Gen Z rap star Pogány Induló.

Then comes a fascinating and exciting week of screenings, debates, discussions and exhibitions, taking place in almost a dozen cinemas in Prague. The festival will then move to over 60 towns and cities across the Czech Republic until late April.

Over 100 movies – most of them documentaries, but also some feature films and virtual reality movies – will offer a glimpse behind the curtain of the greatest topics and challenges of our time, from war and authoritarianism to AI technologies, climate and environmental collapse, LGBTQ issues or social inequalities.

Among the festival’s highlights, the Cannes Palme d’Or-winner It Was Just an Accident by acclaimed Iranian director Jafar Panahi, and The Voice of Hind Rajab by Tunisian filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania, highlighting the work of humanitarian organisations in the Gaza Strip.

Directly from the Sundance Film Festival comes Jaripeo, a dive into queer identity and fragility at the heart of the machismo world of Mexican rodeo.

Closer to home, the Hungarian-Czech coproduction 80 Angry Journalists unveils the dynamics behind the Orban regime’s takeover of one of the country’s largest media outlets – with hints and clues of civil disobedience and democratic resilience along the way.

Most of the screenings will be followed by discussions and Q&As with filmmakers, actors or activists. Many additional panel debates will also be held in the great hall of the Municipal Library.

This year, One World also celebrates 10 years of efforts to make the festival as accessible to everyone as possible, regardless of disability. Special sessions featuring stories by or about filmmakers with disabilities will accompany the main program.

Festival executive director Lenka Lovicarová takes pride in the steps taken by the festival: “[One World] ranks among the leaders and inspirations in the field of making film festivals and other cultural events accessible – not only in the Czech Republic but also abroad.”

For the full list of movies, up-to-date program, and latest festival news, visit the One World website, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram.